Episode 408: Tales of Series
Added 2021-10-04 07:01:01 +0000 UTCWhen the plucky developer Wolf Team set out to make a Super Famicom RPG on a grand scale in the mid-90s, the resulting production nearly destroyed the group, but resulted in Tales of Phantasia. Now, nearly 26 years later, the Tales of series stands as one of the few b-tier RPG brands from the 90s that's still going strong with regular installments, while the Star Oceans and Wild Armses of the world have fallen by the wayside. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Victor Hunter, and Destructoid's Eric Van Allen as the crew discusses just where the Tales of series has been over the past quarter-century.
Comments
Great episode! It was nice to hear Tales of get some love. As I currently play the excellent Arise with all the series battle themes randomized I can't help but feel nostalgia for this little B tier series that for most of my life has felt like an A tier for me. I have yet to play a Tales game that did not keep me thoroughly entertained or a Tales game that did not have memorable music. Symphonia, Legendia, Zesteria, didnt matter, it was RPG comfort food.
Craig
2021-10-12 00:24:27 +0000 UTCWhat was the pre-order bonus? Also, shout-out to GameCrazy!
littleterr0r
2021-10-07 01:28:11 +0000 UTCTales of Phantasis was one of those "WHY DIDN'T WE EVER GET THIS?" RPGs I found a translated rom for in the early 2000s. It led me to pre-order Symphonia at the GameCrazy in the Hollywood Video I worked at. Apparently I was literally the only ore-order in that store. Still have my pre-order bonus for that game in perfect condition.
Michael Castleberry
2021-10-06 14:10:50 +0000 UTCThis was one of my favorite Retronauts ever! I have been a huge Tales fan since Symphonia and was really excited when I saw the episode title this morning. I was enthralled the entire time and hope you do more on Tales soon. Victor Hunter was such a great addition that I followed him over to the Axe of the Blood God Patreon and immediately subscribed after seeing their Tales content. Just when I think you can't make me like you more, you do stuff like this. It's enough to give a person the vapors!
VanDiagram
2021-10-05 22:40:05 +0000 UTCJust started listening - great surprise to hear the Axe of the Blood God host exchange program continues!
2021-10-04 17:32:00 +0000 UTCVery informative. I always wondered why in Phantasia Klarth's sprite looked like a university professor in a cap and gown, while his character art looked like a guy on his way to burning man.
TeamVenom
2021-10-04 16:40:00 +0000 UTCYou mentioned Tales not being too horny which is true, but Vesperia-Graces-Zestiria had a ton of shipping subtext written into the script. Vesperia mainly in side stories like the anime, but in Graces the MC basically ignored his own fiancé in favor of the villain. I didn’t play Zestiria but it seems like that’s part of why it had bad reviews.
MVB
2021-10-04 10:11:31 +0000 UTC
